Statistics on Alcohol Abuse

A surprising statistic is that 1 in 13 adults is affected by alcohol abuse. The online health guide, WebMD reported that in the United States alone, 12 to 14 millions adults abuse the substance and each year, around 100,000 adults will die from alcohol abuse. It has also been proven that alcohol abuse is a large factor in most of the country’s car accidents, suicides and homicides. It also affects many other things in daily life, including increased rates of job absenteeism, and increases reports of domestic violence and child abuse.

What are the Signs of Alcohol Abuse?

Occasional drinks at home or with friends does not mean that you have a problem with drinking. In women, a key indication that there is alcohol abuse is if you consume more than seven drinks a week and more than three in a social situation. In men, the rate of consumption would have to equal more than 14 drinks per week or access of four drinks while with friends. Recognizing the signs in the elderly and in teenagers is often more difficult. Other signs include alcohol cravings, a loss of control when drinking, which leads to the person unable to stop drinking. Tolerances built up to alcohol can be another sign of alcohol abuse, as well as physical dependence on it, such as nausea, sweating and headaches if no alcohol is consumed. Scientists are discovering that many factors are involved with drinking, such as family history of drinking, family genetics toward drinking, stress levels, and social and environmental factors.

Alcohol abuse is a very serious disease that is escalating in America. This is a treatable disease, but not curable and it can affect anyone. Many factors make people more susceptible to it than others. Many people drink and enjoy themselves, but in moderation. Please listen to Budweiser and drink responsibly and alcohol abuse can be avoided.

How to Know if You Have Alcohol Addiction?

Alcohol addiction is not a clearly defined disease. It can affect anyone, of any age really, from teenager to elderly. It doesn’t target one race more than another. Because of these things, diagnosing alcohol addiction is not always easy, however, there are several indicators that a problem may be occurring. The first red flag is that alcohol begins to take over your life. That can be as simple as too many missed days at work or buying alcohol is different stores so people can’t see how much you buy. This could also include worrying about whether you have enough alcohol at home for a weekend or an evening. When at social events, people with alcohol addiction usually switch drinks thru the night, to try and avoid drinking too much or using one drink to get drunk. People with the addiction even go as far as sneaking drinks when no one is watching.

Problems Associated with Alcohol Addiction

A gambit of problems can occur with alcohol addiction. Relationships begin to suffer because the substance becomes more important. Cases of domestic violence are reported more often. Those are some of the most common problems that occur. People with alcohol addiction have the biggest problem of not being able to stop drinking once they start. Other times, they do try and quit, but it only ends up lasting a few days. Guilt accompanies drinking, ordinary household chores start getting neglected, blackouts from drinking too much happen and often, someone else ends up getting hurt.

Alcohol addition is becoming a very destructive and serious epidemic in the United States. Most people who have the addiction do not even realize that they have it. Relationships and careers begin to suffer and suddenly, alcohol takes over one’s life. If you recognize these symptoms in any close friend or family member, please talk to them about getting help. There are many help options out there so social drinking doesn’t end up becoming an alcohol addiction.

Forms of Alcohol Treatment

Some people with a drinking problem don’t have that severe of a form of dependency. Doctors can help with basic outpatient care. Alcohol treatment for mild addictions would include hospital observation of the patient, to make sure nothing was seriously wrong. Tranquilizers are administered if the patient is dealing with anxiety issues or sleep loss. A period of drying out will be advised the doctor, which means no alcohol at all. There are several at home type of alcohol treatment as well. Professionals recommend avoiding places and situations that make drinking a normal activity, such as a bar or nightclub. Join a support group, such as alcoholics anonymous, where there are other people like you going thru the same process. Start exercising more and make your body healthy. A healthy person is more likely to abstain from drinking than one who is not. A final suggestion by health care professionals is to get involved in a hobby or community service. This replaces the negative thoughts associated with drinking and replaces them with something more positive.

If out patient treatment doesn’t work or the dependency is too great, more serious forms of alcohol treatment are needed. There are many rehabilitation clinics around the country offering alcohol treatment programs. All of them have the same three goals, as determined b the American Society of Addiction Medicine; provide a safe place for withdrawal from addiction, provide patients with humane solutions to beat addiction that retain dignity and prepare the patient for life after addiction. Many alcohol treatment programs provide detailed, patient specific programs. Each addiction is different, so these centers usually provide personal treatment options designed for the certain level of addiction faced. In many cases, physical detox symptoms are so detrimental to patient’s health that drugs have to be used to quell them. Symptoms range from mild, like the shakes, to severe, or hallucinations.

People need to understand that alcohol dependency is a disease, it can be treated and there are many options out there available for people struggling with it. Self help at home; mild doctor intervention and alcohol treatment centers around the country are helping people help themselves to get sober.

Stages of Alcohol Addiction Recovery

The first and often most difficult stage in alcohol addiction recovery is admitting that there is a problem. Many people who have substance abuse issues deny the fact that there is an issue. Once they reach the point where they have come to terms with an addiction, treatment processes can begin. All rehabilitation programs for people seeking alcohol addiction recovery have two simple goals; the discontinued use of the substance and a recovery process, a very difficult part of the program to maintain. Studies of people who sought help for addiction showed higher success rates if they had some sort of support system behind them. The website, About.com, had 13 active ingredients on its site for a good rehabilitation center and over half of these ingredients involved some form of communication with other people. If the patient has little or no family, or family doesn’t want to get involved, support groups are one of the best ways to recovery. People can share their experiences with each other and not feel so alone in the struggle for alcohol addiction recovery.

Good rehabilitation centers offer other forms of counseling programs. Some have early detection programs, where a patient is interviewed by doctors and other health care professionals to determine if a problem is developing. There is one on one session with therapists. It is encouraged that bonds develop between therapist and patient in order for alcohol addiction recovery programs to work.

How Communication Works for Recovery Process

Not only do support groups provide a patient with a chance to meet others suffering like them, it gives them structure and guidance. A good alcohol addiction recovery treatment will involve a formulated plan created by a health care professional, that outlines a patient’s treatment options and expectations. This information because it keeps the person on tract with the program and once again, makes them feel like they are not going thru the process alone.

A final benefit is that continued support of someone in need of alcohol addiction recovery is that it provides a morale boost. Patients with high motivation levels are twice as likely to make steps in addiction rehabilitation.

Alcohol addiction recover is not an easy process. There are many treatments available and many ways to kick the habit, but going it alone without a support system can be difficult.

Symptoms and Treatments

In cases where a patient has mild detox symptoms from not drinking alcohol, the person might experience headache, upset stomach, and change in sleeping habits. Most people get some of these symptoms the next morning after a heavy night of drinking. It can be a form of a hangover, as well. Alcohol withdrawal treatment for this could be as simple as taking aspirin to relieve headache. In almost 95% of people who quit drinking, some form of mild to medium withdrawal symptoms are experienced. However, that remaining percent of people have serious conditions, that could in fact be life threatening.

If a person is incredibly chemically dependent on alcohol, several hours after not drinking could result in possible convulsions, spasms and hallucinations known as delirium tremens (DT’s). If not treated, ten percent of people who suffer from DT’s die. If any of these symptoms are present, medical attention should be sought immediately. Benzodiazepines, which are a form of antianxiety medication, can be used to quell anxiety or other minor forms of withdrawal symptoms.

Alcohol withdrawal treatment for those patients who have progressed to rehab and are not drinking anymore, consist of the use of the drug disulfiram. This reacts with alcohol metabolism. If a patient consumes alcohol, even a tiny bit, they will become ill. The drug, naltrexone, helps to reduce cravings for the substance and is often used in rehab clinics to help people modify their social skills.

Many alcohol withdrawal treatment centers provide medication to treat patients, along with support groups and counselors. Often enough, medication alone is not enough for alcohol withdrawal treatment. Patients need to know that they are not going through this process alone and that there are other people who are facing the same struggles they are. Studies show people who don’t go it alone are more likely to contain in rehab and to remain sober. Family and friend support is vital to a patient’s success, but the key to any treatment is the person themselves being motivated to quit the addiction. Medication, counseling and rehab centers can only provide so much comfort and help to a patient, if there is no motivation there, none of the methods will work successfully.

If you or someone you loves has a substance dependency, there are several alcohol withdrawal treatment options available. Help is just around the corner for those who need it.

Alcohol abuse effects can destroy a home and family if left untreated. The abuser starts to care less about their family and more about the use of alcohol. Many families break up because one member abuses alcohol to the point they lose their jobs and possessions. When drinking they will not be stable and cannot be trusted. Many people feel empowered when drinking alcohol and do things they would not ordinarily do. Many people turn to violence when drinking while others become depressed and sad. Often the violence escalates to the point someone is seriously hurt or killed. On the other hand, depression will often lead to suicide.

Alcohol Abuse Effects On The Body

One of the first signs of alcohol abuse effects on the body is the short term memory loss which goes along with drinking. Alcohol abusers will often experience scattered trains of thought and will find themselves having difficulty concentrating. The longer the abuse the more extensive the damage is to the brain. Some people will eventually experience what is known as blackouts. During a blackout period the individual will not know what they are doing, even though they are not drinking at the time. They might still be able to appear as if they are functioning but they will actually forget what they did during that period of time. This can be especially dangerous if the are driving.

Cirrhosis of the liver is probably the most serious of the alcohol abuse effects which the body experiences. Excessive alcohol use will eventually cause permanent damage to the liver. Because the liver cannot handle a large amount of alcohol, liver failure is a very real possibility. Once the liver begins to fail the body is less able to handle the toxins which are taken in. Many people consider cirrhosis to be cancer of the liver. To date there is no known cure unless a liver transplant is received. The medical profession is reluctant to provide a transplant if the person is still drinking. Without a liver transplant, cirrhosis is 100% fatal.

Many people begin their journey by social drinking. Once they experience the effects that alcohol has on their mind and body they will often continue drinking until it becomes a problem. Many of these people will be led into alcohol and drug abuse because they want to experience new feelings. Marijuana is usually the first illegal drug which people will try. There are many reports that suggest that marijuana is not addictive but it does lead to further alcohol and drug abuse. There are not a lot of people who will just stop with marijuana; they will go on to experience drugs which are more powerful and more addictive.

Looking At Who Is At Risk For Alcohol And Drug Abuse

Alcohol and drug abuse does not have to go together. There are many people who will abuse one or the other. Drug abuse does not always mean illegal drugs either. Many people will become addicted to narcotics which are prescribed to them by a member of the medical profession. Senior citizens are very prone to this type of addiction since they often suffer from arthritis. Once their pain gets severe enough many physicians will prescribe narcotics to help alleviate their pain.

Women are more prone than men to becoming addicted to narcotics since many women suffer from insomnia. Sleeping pills are taken to help them sleep and this can lead to abuse when the body builds up a resistance to the drugs. Eventually they will require stronger doses to achieve the desired result.

Men are more likely than women to abuse alcohol since they usually have the greatest amount of pressure on them to provide for their family. In most societies it is better accepted for a man to drink than it is for a woman.

Families with low incomes are more prone to both alcohol and drug abuse. Many in this particular population are disabled or homeless with little or no income. Most people who are homeless would rather have a drink of alcohol than to have a good meal. It is believed that alcohol provides them with temporary relief from their dire situation. Many people are also homeless because of alcohol and drug abuse. These people seem to be caught in a never-ending cycle of abuse with little desire to do anything about it.

If your teen suddenly exhibits any of these signs they would merit watching. You can’t automatically assume that they are using alcohol or drugs just because they suddenly change in personality. There could also be depression or some other serious problem going on that needs to be checked out. Below are some things to watch for that might indicate some type of problem.

* Suddenly using abusive language or showing signs of physical abuse

* Lying about what they are doing

* Spending a lot of money or selling personal items

* Shirking their responsibilities such as cleaning their room

* Eating considerably less or more

* Staying out after their curfew

* Losing interest in their grades and school

* Showing disrespect for authority figures

These are just a few signs that might indicate a problem with teenage alcohol abuse but not necessarily all of the signs. If your teenager suddenly shows any of these signs it deserves to be looked into before serious damage is done.

Why Teenagers Drink

Many teenagers who begin drinking will do so because they see it at home. If one or both parents drink the teenager thinks it is an accepted practice. If there are marital problems in the home the teenager may feel led to drink to help dull the pain of a miserable home life. Others take that first drink because their friends talk them into it. Once they see how alcohol makes them feel, many of them like the feeling and will try it many more times. This is one of the things that lead them into teenage alcohol abuse.

One of the biggest causes of teenage alcohol abuse is peer pressure they face in school. Many of their friends will dare them to try alcohol just one time or they might even ridicule them because they will not drink alcohol. Teens want to fit in with the in crowd and taking a drink may raise their self esteem once they have shown they can handle it with no problem.

The best way to avoid teenage alcohol abuse is to educate them at a very early age and continue that education throughout their teen years. Show them what alcohol can do to people’s lives. Take them to a jail and let them visit some of the inmates who are there for DUI. This might provide enough of a scare tactic to make them think twice before they take that first drink.

Drug and alcohol treatment should be directed at the entire family since the entire family is affected by substance abuse. Family members need to pull together and support each other and the abuser. Seeking out drug and alcohol treatment is the first step toward recovery and takes a lot of determination and courage. A good family support system helps make recovery easier.

Often when one family member is using drugs or alcohol the other family members will go to great lengths to hide the behavior from the public. This alone takes a great toll on the family. Life at home can become unbearable if they do not seek help. Often the abuser will turn to violence and this can quickly destroy any type of peace at home. At this point it is virtually impossible to hide the situation from the public. The only recourse for restoring peace and order in the family is for the abuser to seek drug and alcohol treatment.

What The Abuser Can Expect

Each individual is different and each treatment plan must be different also. Group therapy is a good place to begin but this type therapy can only do so much. The abuser needs to be evaluated individually to determine the cause of the abuse. This will give the professionals better insight into how they need to proceed.

Individual counseling will probably be needed so the abuser can determine the reasons they began using in the beginning. This gives the abuser the chance to be honest with themselves and the counselor without other family members around. Once the individual sessions have reached a certain point it may be recommended that family counseling take place. This gives the entire family a chance to express their thoughts and worries.

In many cases it may be necessary for the abuser to stay in a drug and alcohol treatment facility for a period of time. This gives the abuser the chance to stop the substance abuse and go through the withdrawal period while they are away from the family. Since this is the most difficult time, it is best if the family not be around.

After completing the initial portion of drug and alcohol treatment, it is important to remain in an aftercare program. This will help to reinforce the need for abstinence. Remaining in aftercare is a very important part of the healing process.

Before alcohol abuse treatment can be successful, the abuser must determine the need for help. This is only the first step. After they realize the need for help they will also need good support from their family members and friends. Without a strong support system in place the chances of relapsing are much greater.

During the early phases of alcohol abuse treatment the detoxification process can become fairly difficult. Once the body no longer has access to alcohol it will go into withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms can include irritability, loss of sleep, anxiety, and shaking. It is important that the abuser know beforehand what to expect. During the withdrawal phase the abuser will probably beg for a drink. When they do not get what they want they will probably become verbally abusive and angry. It is in everyone’s best interest for the abuser to go through this phase without the family around. Professionals are trained to deal with the withdrawal symptoms and know and understand what needs to be done.

Tips About How To Stay Sober

Once you have managed to get through the withdrawal stage of alcohol abuse treatment it is then time to plan on ways to stay sober. The desire for alcohol will not leave just because you quit drinking. There are some things that you can do to help offset the desire and create a healthier lifestyle.

Maintain a healthy diet and stick to it every day. You may not necessarily need to lose weight but healthy eating will help you feel better and have more energy. Begin an exercise program even if it is only taking a daily walk. This will help to relieve stress and will also help give you the strength to resist the cravings.

Always keep in mind that alcohol abuse treatment is an ongoing process. Each day you will have to deal with the cravings so you need to be prepared. Joining a support group such as Alcoholic Anonymous is a great way to stay on track. It also puts you in touch with others who are experiencing the same feelings as you. It will also be good if you can participate in a buddy system. Finding a buddy who you can call when the going gets rough will give you an advantage. Instead of going to the refrigerator for a drink, simply pick up the phone and tell your buddy you need to talk. This type of reinforcement is an important part of recovery.